power



(No Model. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.' T. E. D. POWER.

CLOTHES LINE SUPPORT.

No. 358,819. Patented a1". 1, 188 7.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. T. E. D. POWER.

CLOTHES LINE SUPPORT.

Patented Mar. 1, 1887.

lJNrTnn STATES PATENT @FFIQTZ.

THOMAS E. D. POWER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CLOTH ES-LINE SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 358,819, dated March 1, 1387'.

Application filed July 13, 1885.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. D. POWER, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certainnew and useful Improvement in Clothes Line Supports, of which the following is a specification.

The main object of this invention is to provide a pole or support for a clothes-line within which the line may be coiled when not in use and from which it may readily be withdrawn and strung on the other poles or supports for use; and said invention consists in the various novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter set forth and claimed. 1

My invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a clothes'liue pole embodying my invention with the turning spindle in elevation; Fig. 2, an enlarged view, mainly in elevation, of thespindle on which thelineis coiled within the pole, Fig. 3, a separate enlarged View of the catch or locking device for theline; Fig. 4, an elevation of the upper part of one of the intermediate supporting-poles; Fig. 5, a similar view of the upper part of a pole for holding the outer end of the line; Fig. 6, a view of three poles supporting a line.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A is an iron tube of suitable size. At its lower end this tube is screwed upon an iron point, B. Part B has in its top RdEPIGSSlOlLWlllCh forms a bearing for the end of a spindle, O, which is preferably a piece of small iron pipe. Surrounding the lower part of spindle O is a spiral spring, 1).

E is an iron tube, which is secured to the upper end of tube A by an internally-screwth-readed coupling-collar,F. Tube E is of such length as to support the clothes-line at the proper height, and at its top it is closed by a cap, G, which may be of any suitable ornamental form, if desired. In tube E, extending from cap G to collar F, is a slot, H, large enough to permit the line to pass through it. The spindle G has its upper bearing in the lower side of cap G. Near the lower end of tube E alatch, f, is pivoted upon a lug, 9, said latch extending into the tube through its slot and having a beveled catch, h, at its inner end, which normally engages with apin, 13, on spindle 0, thus preventing the turning of the spin- Serial No. 171565. (No model.)

die in one direction, but allowing it to turn in the other.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the line I, which is preferably a wire rope of small diameter, is shown as withdrawn, it being broken away in the middle andhavingaring or eye, K, at its outer end.

In placingthe pole in position, the tube A is driven into the ground as far as the collar F. The spindle O is then stepped in its lower bearing with the spring D upon it, and said spring is secured to the-inside of the tube at a. The line I is then wound upon the spindle, its end being attached thereto at b, after which the collar F, tube E, and cap G are placed in position, the free end of the line being brought out through the slot.

Referring, now, to Figs. 4, '5, and 6, L is an intermediate pole, which also is formed of a tube driven into the ground and atube secured thereto. Near the upper end of the pole is an aperture, 0, in which is placed a horizontal roller, d. M is an end pole, also made in two main parts, and having a hook, 0, near its top.

The operation is as follows: The line I being coiled upon spindle C, as above described, the withdrawal of the line turns spindle G and winds up spring D, the pin 2' passing under catch has the spindle turns, and the end of the line is'passcd through the aperture 0 of intermediate pole, L, bearing on roller d the aperture being large enough to admit the ring K. There may of course be several intermediate poles, in which case the line is thus passed through all of them successively. Finally, the line is attached to hook e on end pole, M, by ringK. Thelineisthen ready for use. WVhen it is no longer required, the ring is disengaged from the hook, but the catch h prevents the spindle from turning to wind up theline until the operator has passed the end of the rope back through the intermediate poles and returned to the first pole. By pressing the foot upon the outer end of latchfthe catch is dis engaged from the pin, and the spring D then turns the spindle and winds up the line thereon. The line should be guided by hand in its passage through the slot, so that it will be wound evenly upon the spindle, and it may of course be wound several times over the length of the spindle, according to its length.

' In many cases it is desirable to use fourpoles arranged in the form of a rectangle. In this case three of the poles will be intermediate poles, Land the hook e will be on the first pole on a side at right angles to the slot.

By my invention it will be seen that the line is very readily placed in position upon its sup ports, and is placed out of the way and protected from the weather when not in use.

What I claim is 1. A hollow clothesline pole having a longitudinal slot or opening, in combination with a turning spindle within the same, on which the line is coiled when notin use, substantially as set forth.

2. A hollow clothes-line pole having a longitudinal slot or opening, in combination with a turning spindle within the same for receiving the line and a spring connected with said spindle for windingthe line thereon, substantially as set forth.

3. In a support for a clothes-line, the combination of the tube A, provided with a point, the slotted tube E, supported thereby,the turning spindle within said tubes, the spring for turning said spindle, and the cap closing the end of said tube E, said point and said cap having bearings for the spindle, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the hollow clothesline pole having a longitudinal slot, the turning spindle Within the same, the spring connected with said spindle, thel'ocking device for said spindle, and the pedal situated near the ground for operating said locking device, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 14th day of May, 1885.

THOMAS E. D. POWER.

Witnesses:

A. W. KIDDLE, E. O. ROWLAND. 

